Workplace Violence

Executive Summary

At least 2 million people are victims of violence in the workplace each year in the United States, according to the federal government. All businesses are potentially at risk, and the total cost can run into the billions of dollars. Workplace violence can be committed by fellow employees, clients or customers, estranged partners – or random people. While workplace killings attract the most attention, they are relatively unusual; the most common form of workplace violence is assault. Violence at work also encompasses threats, bullying, stalking and harassment. Occupations especially at risk include law enforcement and health care workers. Businesses need to consider workplace violence and threat management programs to mitigate potential attacks or liability. They also must be aware of legal issues, such as how to balance an individual’s gun rights with concerns about providing a safe workplace.

Key takeaways include:

While workplace homicides rose almost 20 percent in 2017, this type of violence has declined significantly over the past two decades.

Articles

Fernández Campbell, Alexia, “Why Violence Against Nurses Has Spiked in the Last Decade,” The Atlantic, Dec. 1, 2016, http://tinyurl.com/ydaqoxh9. A journalist explores the connection between violence against health care workers, which jumped 110 percent in the past decade, and funding cuts that have led to reduced staffing levels and less preventive mental-health services.

Waterfield, Allison, “Preventing Workplace Violence: Think Twice About Claiming ‘Direct Threat,’” Labor and Employment Blog, Bloomberg BNA, April 25, 2018, http://tinyurl.com/yc4tx4a8. Employers receive guidance on how to deal with employees who may have a mental illness and pose a threat to others.

Arnetz, Judith E., et al., “Preventing Patient-to-Worker Violence in Hospitals,” Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2017, http://tinyurl.com/y8ckor7y. Providing data to health care workers about violence in their units helped them cut patient-to-worker violence, according to a study by researchers in Michigan and Sweden.

The Next Step

Health Care Safety

Chuck, Elizabeth, “Veterans hospital killings spotlight problem of violence against health care workers,” NBC News, March 17, 2018, https://tinyurl.com/y9pnxqw4. A recent hostage shooting in a California health care facility has led to the introduction of a federal bill that would require all hospitals to create workplace violence prevention programs.

Thayer, Katie, “After hostage incidents, proposed law would protect nurses from violence,” Chicago Tribune, May 3, 2018, https://tinyurl.com/ybdeem2n. An Illinois state representative has proposed legislation that would require violence prevention training at health care facilities and protections for employees who report violent incidents.

Workplace Shootings

Cain, Áine, “People are often too embarrassed to react to emergencies at work – here’s how to stay safe should the worst happen,” Business Insider, April 9, 2018, https://tinyurl.com/ybgk5qlx. Workplace emergency plans should be flexible and empower employees to trust their instincts, says a security expert.

Hsu, Tiffany, and Jack Nicas, “YouTube Shooting Puts a Focus on Workplace Security,” The New York Times, April 5, 2018, http://tinyurl.com/y8zgdsks. The recent uptick of workplace shootings has led companies – especially tech companies with sprawling, open campuses – to tighten security measures.

Umoh, Ruth, “What to do if there’s an active shooter at your workplace,” CNBC, April 4, 2018, https://tinyurl.com/yd4ohxho. In the event of an active shooter in the workplace, employees should either evacuate, hide or as a last resort, fight, according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security guidelines.

National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) www.cdc.gov/niosh/index.htm@NIOSH A division of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that researches a variety of workplace topics, including workplace violence.

National Threat Assessment Center245 Murray Lane, S.W., Washington, DC 20223 1-202-406-5708 www.secretservice.gov/protection/ntac/ An agency within the Secret Service that gathers research and provides training in threat assessment.